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In this Speaker Spotlight episode, Coach Jav sits down with Dr. Rob Gray—renowned researcher, author, and podcast host—for a timely re-release of their impactful conversation on ecological dynamics, information, and movement learning.

Rob is one of the featured speakers at the upcoming 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference, taking place June 26–27 in St. Paul, MN. As the SMSC returns to its in-person roots, Rob shares a preview of the thinking that’s shaped his writing, research, and applied coaching work across sport and skill domains.

The episode explores the concepts behind Rob’s book Learning to Optimize Movement, as well as deeper takes on specifying information, variability in practice, and the athlete–environment relationship. If you’ve ever wondered how to make movement learning more meaningful—or want to go beyond drills and deepen your theoretical lens—this conversation is a must.

🔑 Key Topics Discussed:

✅ The purpose and origin of Rob's book Learning to Optimize Movement

✅ What Gibson really meant by “specifying information”

✅ The practical dangers of relying on non-specifying info (like cones or pitching machines)

✅ Why variability is the lowest-hanging fruit for most coaches

✅ The real secret sauce of coaching and when to intervene

✅ Movement efficiency, not just effectiveness

✅ Why skill lives in the relationship between athlete and environment

✅ What coaches can do to guide without over-prescribing solutions

✅ Shifting from acquiring skill to adapting skill

📚 Resources & Mentions:

• 📍 Register for the 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference (June 26–27 in MN)
• 📘 Learning to Optimize Movement by Rob Gray — Available on Amazon
• 🎧 The Perception & Action Podcast – Hosted by Rob Gray: perceptionaction.com
• 📍 Register for the 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference (June 26–27 in MN): theadaptableathlete.com
• ✅ Emergence Website: emergentmvmt.com
• 📖 Keith Davids & Duarte Araújo’s article: What is Acquired During Skill Acquisition? (Referenced in conversation)

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

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In this special episode of the Adaptable Athlete Podcast powered by Emergence, Javi welcomes back movement specialist and Emergence co-founder Shawn Myszka for the official preview of the 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference (SMSC).

They break down what to expect at this year’s in-person event -including immersive learning sessions, athlete-led demos, roundtable discussions, and a new certification opportunity -all designed to help coaches better understand and apply ecological dynamics in sport. Shawn also shares what it’s like coaching elite NFL players, how to identify skill gaps in All-Pro athletes, and why 2025 is the year to return to face-to-face collaboration in the coaching community.

🗓️ The 2025 SMSC will be held June 26–27 in St. Paul, MN. Early bird pricing is available now.

🔗 Register here: Sport Movement Skill Conference

🔹 Key Topics Discussed:

✅ How Sean identifies and addresses skill gaps in elite NFL athletes

✅ The value of ecological dynamics in high-performance coaching

✅ Why SMSC is returning to an all in-person format in 2025

✅ What coaches can expect from this year’s conference lineup

✅ The debut of the Certified Skill Acquisition Specialist (CSAS) program

✅ The real difference between theory and practice—live on the field

✅ Why learning in community is irreplaceable for growth

📌 Resources & Mentions:

• ✅ Register for the 2025 SMSC
• ✅ Emergence Website
• ✅ The Adaptable Athlete Podcast Website
• ✅ Article: The Value of Opposed and Unopposed Training

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

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In this episode of the Adaptable Athlete Podcast, Javi sits down with performance coach Sean Smith, who shares lessons from a unique career that’s spanned elite collegiate volleyball and the high-octane world of IndyCar racing.

They dive into what it takes to support athletes across vastly different sports, why curiosity and communication are non-negotiables for great coaching, and how to create high-performance environments without losing the human element. From letting athletes have a say in their training to managing in-season fatigue, Sean offers practical strategies rooted in trust, adaptability, and an ever-evolving coaching philosophy.

🔹 Key Topics Discussed:

✅ Lessons from coaching in motorsport and NCAA Division I athletics

✅ How to support athletes when you're unfamiliar with their sport

✅ Building autonomy and joy into elite sport environments

✅ What “true integration” looks like across performance departments

✅ Why athlete wellness data must be actionable—not performative

✅ A nuanced take on early specialization vs. multi-sport development

✅ Sean’s personal shift into ecological and context-driven coaching

🔹 Resources & Mentions:

✅ Emergence Website

✅ Challenge Point Framework

✅ Drive to Survive on Netflix

✅ 100 Days to Indy

Whether you're in strength and conditioning, sport science, or skill acquisition, this episode will challenge your assumptions and help you think differently about what high performance really means.

Don't forget to reserve your spot for the IN PERSON 2025 Sport Movement Skill Conference.

💡 Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or leave a review to help spread the word!

Stay connected at The Adaptable Athlete for more great conversations.

Want to take your coaching to the next level?...check our our courses at Emergence.

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

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In this Six Minutes of Skill episode, Coach Jav explores the concept of the Challenge Point—both for athletes and coaches. He breaks down how finding the right level of difficulty in training can accelerate skill acquisition, improve decision-making, and better prepare athletes for real-game situations.

Key Topics Discussed:
✅ Understanding the Challenge Point and its role in learning
✅ Why failing too much or too little in practice can hinder development
✅ How to adjust practice complexity to match an athlete’s challenge point
✅ The misconception of equating practice performance with learning
✅ Why coaches must also challenge themselves to grow and evolve
✅ How constraints like defender numbers, time pressure, and fatigue impact skill acquisition
✅ The importance of embracing discomfort as a coach

📌 Resources & Mentions:
✅ The Challenge Point Framework – Research on optimizing learning through appropriate difficulty levels
✅ The Adaptable Athlete Podcast – Explore more episodes and topics
✅ Emergence Website – Advance your career, and learn more about a modern approach to skill acquisition.

💡 Enjoyed this episode? Share it on social media or leave a review to help spread the word!

Stay connected at The Adaptable Athlete for more great conversations.

Want to take your coaching to the next level?...check our our courses at Emergence.

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

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Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

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In this episode, Javi sits down with Jim Haverstrom to explore a fresh approach to youth hockey coaching. Jim explains how his game-based, small-area practices transform the way young players develop skills and decision-making. Rather than isolating techniques, his methods use purposeful, in-game scenarios to build hockey IQ and foster creativity on the ice. He also shares strategies for communicating these innovative methods to parents, emphasizing long-term growth over immediate wins.

Key Topics Discussed:

✅ Transitioning from traditional drills to game-based, small-area practices

✅ Using incentives in practice to promote passing, neutral zone play, and overall game sense

✅ Achieving lasting behavior change even when incentives are removed

✅ Communicating coaching methods effectively with parents to build patience and long-term vision

✅ Identifying an athlete’s challenge point through observation and guided discovery

✅ Fostering autonomy and adaptability in young hockey players

✅ Leveraging analogies from Nick Winkelman’s book, The Language of Coaching, to simplify coaching concepts

Resources & Mentions:

📌 Connect with Jim Haverstrom on Twitter: @JimHaverstrom

📌 Learn more about innovative coaching techniques with USA Hockey resources

📌 Recommended Book: The Language of Coaching by Nick Winkelman

📌 Explore additional insights at The Adaptable Athlete Podcast website

If you like today's episode, leave a review here....If you want to reach me directly, contact me on social media or shoot me @javier@emergentmvmt.com.

Stay connected at The Adaptable Athlete for more great conversations.

Want to take your coaching to the next level?...check our our courses at Emergence.

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

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Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

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In this episode, Javi sits down with Marianne Davies to explore a fascinating blend of topics, from adventure sports and ecological coaching to the power of language and learning. They dive into how language shapes perception, the unique relationship between teaching and learning, and the role of affordance perception in high-risk environments.

Marianne shares her experiences in equestrian sports, adventure coaching, and expedition leadership, emphasizing how outdoor challenges can reshape the way we think, learn, and coach—not just in sports, but in life. They discuss the importance of exploration for both kids and adults, the evolving landscape of coach education, and why less structure in training could unlock greater potential in athletes.

Key Topics Discussed:

✅ How language serves as a constraint and shapes perception

✅ The Welsh concept of “dusky” and how it connects teaching and learning

✅ How adventure sports develop skill and decision-making under real consequences

✅ The unstructured nature of adventure sports vs. traditional coaching

✅ Why adults need adventure experiences just as much as kids

✅ The role of affordance perception and risk in skill acquisition

✅ The future of coach development and shifting from assessment-based coaching

✅ The power of movement and perception beyond traditional sports

Resources & Mentions:

📌 Marianne’s Podcast: River Tiger Podcast

📌 Marianne’s Website: Dynamics Coaching

📌 Follow Marianne on X (Twitter): @marianne_D1

📌 Follow Marianne on Instagram: @river.tiger

📌 Recommended Films: Valley Uprising (climbing culture) & Riding Giants (big wave surfing)

📌 The Cynefin Framework (for understanding complex problems)

If you like today's episode, leave a review here....If you want to reach me directly, contact me on social media or shoot me @javier@emergentmvmt.com.

Stay connected at The Adaptable Athlete for more great conversations.

Want to take your coaching to the next level?...check our our courses at Emergence.

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav

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In this episode, we dive deep into the transcendent movement skill of Lamar Jackson with special guest Shawn Myszka!

In addition to having partnered with 139 NFL athletes and many pro bowlers, Shawn also has been deeply investigating and writing about movement on his website Football Beyond The Stats for over a decade.

Every year Shawn names "Mover of the Year", and this year it was none other than Lamar Jackson! As a two-time Mover of the Year, Jackson’s ability to adapt, create, and solve problems on the field is unmatched.

We explore what makes his movement so special, how he perceives the game at an elite level, and what coaches can learn from how he problem solves. Plus, we break down how weather, and pressure can impact performance at the highest level.

Whether you coach football, basketball, soccer, or any other sport, this conversation will reshape how you think about skill development, movement, and coaching in complex environments.

If you like today's episode, leave a review here....If you want to reach me directly, contact me on social media or shoot me @javier@emergentmvmt.com.

Wanna be able to analyze film through an ecological lens? Check out our Skilled Movement Analysis Course.

Episode Resources:

• 2024 Mover of the Year - Lamar
• 2019 Mover of the Year - Lamar
• Shawn's twitter
• Shawn's paper on "(Re)conceptualizing Sport Movement"
• Shawn's American Football Paper
• Twitter video of Lamar
• Episode Webpage

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

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Welcome to today's show!

Today I'm joined by Brian Neff of US Ski and Snowboard!

Brian is an athletic development coach for US Ski and snowboard and specifically works with US Paralympic, Alpine and snowboard athletes.

Prior to his current position, Brian has had roles in athletic medicine, strength and conditioning, and sports science across many different universities in the collegiate sector, such as Big Ten, Pac12 and Summit League colleges such as University of Minnesota, University of Denver, University of Utah, University of Colorado, and University of Southern California.

He's also had mentorship positions under Cal Dietz, Matt Shaw, Adam Ringler, and is currently being mentored through Emergence Specific with Tyler and Shawn through his participation in the Movement Academy.

In addition to his coaching, Brian is also an avid snowboarder himself.] So he lives and breathes his practice . He's also a classically trained guitarist with a niche for Nuevo flamenco music, which is shaped by Brian's unique experiences.

Today, Brian brings his unique background and perspective to this episode. Enjoy!


If you like today's episode, leave a review here....If you want to reach me directly, contact me on social media or shoot me @javier@emergentmvmt.com.

Episode resources

• Brian on Instagram
• The Practitioner's Bundle

Credits: Song- "Starstruck" by Freebeats.io

Let's Chat!
Twitter: @thecoachjav
IG: @thecoachjav